Lab-to-Spectral: Import Spot Colors From CxF and DB3 Files

The Lab-to-Spectral functionality can be used not only for process colors from MX4, ICC, and CGATs files but also for Lab-based spot colors from CxF and DB3 files. This allows you to swiftly incorporate even complete spot color libraries, enabling the utilization and free combination of the spot colors for other GMG OpenColor projects as you like.

Convert spot colors to spectral data automatically

Import spot colors from CxF files

When you create a new characterization or a new project, you can import spot colors from a CxF file. If the file contains any Lab-based spot color references, GMG OpenColor will automatically convert them into spectral data if required.

  1. Create a new characterization or a new project.
  2. Under Name, enter a name for your characterization.
  3. In the Tools & Actions pane on the right, select and define the Printing Process and Media according to the CxF file you want to import.
  4. Under Tools & Actions > Finalize, select Import.

    The file browser opens.

  5. In the file browser, next to the File name field, set the file filter to Color Exchange Format 3.0 (*.cxf) to show CXF files.
  6. Select the CxF file including the relevant spot colors and confirm with Open.
    The file browser closes.
  7. Under Select a Measurement, select the measurement that you want to import.
  8. Confirm by clicking OK to import your spot colors.
    The selection dialog closes and the spot colors are listed under Inks.

Import spot colors from DB3 files

When you create a new characterization or a new project, you can import a complete spot color library from a DB3 file. If the file contains any Lab-based spot color references, GMG OpenColor will convert them into spectral data automatically.

  1. Create a new characterization or a new project.
  2. Under Name, enter a name for your characterization.
  3. In the Tools & Actions pane on the right, select and define the Printing Process and Media according to the DB3 file you want to import.
  4. Under Tools & Actions > Finalize, select Import.

    The file browser opens.

  5. Next to the File name field, set the file filter to GMG Spot Color Database (*.db3) to show DB3 files.
  6. Select the DB3 file including the relevant spot colors and confirm with Open to import the spot colors.
    The file browser closes and the spot colors are listed under Inks.